The Olympic torch relay is expected to avoid the large city of Osaka (western Japan) due to a further rise in coronavirus infections, the local governor and mayor of the city said Thursday, according to local media.
Officials in Osaka did not immediately comment on statements attributed to the governor and mayor, as the government reportedly prepared to impose new measures to combat Covid-19 in parts of Osaka and two other regions.
According to several Japanese media, Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura wants the Olympic torch relay stage in the city of Osaka to be canceled.
"We believe that this falls into the category of non-essential outings and that it is necessary to avoid the crowds in the city of Osaka," he said according to the Mainichi newspaper.
According to local media reports, the mayor of Osaka, Ichiro Matsui, also demanded that the relay avoid the city.
"It is very unfortunate, but the torch relay must be canceled," he said, according to the Nikkei newspaper.
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